Kreuzer

Intersection (t ) zer (very old also Creutzer ) is the name given to the basic principal of various small coins, which were common in southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The abbreviation in old documents was often Kr or Xr.

The cruiser goes back to a dime coin which was minted from 1271 in Merano South Tyrol in. Because of the double cross on the front of the coin they soon became known as cruisers. It spread in the 16th century from throughout the south of the German-speaking area. The Reichsmünzgesetz in 1551 made ​​her the unit for the small silver coins. 72 Kreuzer corresponded to a gold guilder or a silver Guldiner, 237 cruiser a Cologne mark. Accordingly, the cruiser was first coined in a silver -copper alloy, from the 17th century, mostly only in copper. In some German States, for example in Bavaria, but there was still a Cruiser coins 1871 in a Billon alloy that contained less than 50 % silver. The simple Kreuzer coins were in contrast to the 10 - to 20 - Kreuzer coins since the 17th century coins.

In most monetary systems of the southern German region was: 8 Heller = 4 farthings = 1 cruiser and 4 Kreuzer = 1 chunk. In the southern states with Gulden currency showed to 1872 60 Kreuzer a florin. In contrast, in northern Germany was the penny or shilling the usual small coin above the penny.

In Germany, the cruiser was in use until the introduction of the Mark in 1871. In Switzerland it existed until the introduction of the Franks currency in 1850. In some cantons you already tried to replace all the coinage by the black horse (whose multiples and ), but the population was so used to the old monetary system that as a compromise coins to 2 ½ centimes, which corresponded to a cruiser, were minted. In Austria, the old coinage system was abolished in 1857. Until 1892 the cruiser existed but further than hundredth of the guilder and was named Neukreuzer.

The former Brazilian Cruzeiro currencies and Cruzado hot freely translated cruiser.

Exchange rate

According to the Augsburg coinage in 1566 guilders a corresponding 60 cruiser with 9/10 fine silver.

Trivia

Cruisers and valleys are used as currency in Duckburg. There correspond 100 cruiser a thaler. In the first German-language editions of the comic series was still paid in dollars and cents.